Moong Dal Tadka Recipe

Moong Dal Tadka is India's ultimate comfort food. Yellow lentils simmer to silkiness, then a sizzling tadka of garlic, cumin and ghee is poured over the top.

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

30 mins

Total time

40 mins

Servings

4 servings

Calories

340

Ingredients

• 200 g yellow moong dal, rinsed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 1 dried red chilli
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander and lemon wedges, to serve
• Basmati rice, to serve

Instructions

1. Boil the dal with the turmeric and a pinch of salt in 750 ml water for 20 minutes until soft, skimming any foam.
2. Whisk the dal until smooth, adding water to reach a pouring consistency.
3. In a separate pan, melt half the ghee and soften the onion, ginger and tomatoes.
4. Stir the onion mixture into the dal with the garam masala and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Heat the remaining ghee, crackle the cumin seeds and dried chilli, then fry the garlic until golden.
6. Pour the sizzling tadka over the dal, cover for a minute, then serve with coriander, lemon and rice.

Pro tips

• Rinsing the dal well gives a cleaner flavour and less foam.
• Keep the dal slightly thin, as it thickens as it cools.
• Pour the tadka over at the table for maximum aroma and drama.

Frequently asked questions